[FC] "Best practices" engine lid hinges/support

[J R Read_HML]

Hi David,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.  Thanks for your positive "sweet" comments.

Here is the story.

I bought the Rampy about 10 years ago out of (near) St. Louis MO (where all Rampys were built - so far as I know).  I was not happy with the rust in a couple of (relatively minor) places.  I believe that (memory play tricks sometimes) the engine cover was already set up to be lifted from the rear.

After I had it for at least a year - probably 18 months - I sent it off - over the winter - to a local body guy who had done Corvairs since they were new.  Along with it, I sent (what I would call) a "piano hinge" to install so that I could fold the engine cover portion ALL the way back and become flat with the frontal portion (where the heater box is) of the rear floor.  I wanted a hinge which would not intrude on the upper side of the floor.  THAT was important to me.

Several months later I got the truck back, along with the hinge I had provided.  The hinges that you see in the pictures are what he welded in rather than what I thought I wanted.  These hinges only allow the lid to be lifted to just past a 90 degree angle.  At first I was disappointed with this approach, but have learned to live with it and now see no real need to have the lid to be capable of going to the 180 degree position.

So, I can't really say what specific hinges were used - probably something from a hardware store - but I can say that I've been VERY happy with the results.  There is no real need to have the engine cover lay flat when lifted forward and Frank apparently knew that.

The body guy?  Frank Regal in Illinois.  Email is:   fregal at comcast.net

I cannot say if he is currently accepting new business.  You will need to contact him directly.  I have absolutely no vested interest in providing this information.

Later, JR

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: David Hoskin 
  To: J R Read_HML 
  Sent: Friday, October 31, 2008 5:32 PM
  Subject: Re: [FC] "Best practices" engine lid hinges/support


  I classify that as "sweet" - almost looks factory. I especially like the height that the prop rod gives you - a greater height than the Corvair prop that was on mine. Can you give me some details on the hinges used and how you mounted them?


  On Fri, Oct 31, 2008 at 3:24 PM, J R Read_HML <hmlinc at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

    Don't know how you want to classify it, but this is the way my Rampy is set up.

    Later, JR


    ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Hoskin" <dsh1705 at gmail.com>
    To: <corvanatics at corvair.org>
    Sent: Friday, October 31, 2008 5:00 PM
    Subject: [FC] "Best practices" engine lid hinges/support



      I am new to this list, having acquired a 64 Greenbrier this July (destined
      as a work truck). The previous owner had an engine lid "lift" and hinge
      arrangement that was rough. I would like to know if there is a "definitive"
      way to do this, a "general consensus" way (like that would ever happen), or
      ???
      I already know the "get 'er done" way...(that was what was on the
      van originally!).

      I have really appreciated seeing some of the nice work done with the 3 post
      seat belts, rampside covers, etc.

      David Hoskin

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